Gastric ulcer surgery: how it is performed and what are the risks

Gastric ulcer surgery is used in a few cases, as it is usually possible to treat this type of problem only with the use of medicines, such as antacids and antibiotics and food care. See how the ulcer treatment is done.

However, surgery for gastric ulcer may be necessary in more severe cases, in which there is perforation of the stomach or heavy bleeding that cannot be treated otherwise, or in other situations such as:

Occurrence of more than 2 episodes of hemorrhagic ulcers; Gastric ulcer with suspected cancer; Frequent severe recurrences of peptic ulcers.

Ulcers can reoccur after surgery, so it is important to avoid being overweight and having a bad diet, rich in sugar and fat. See how to eat properly and avoid ulcers.

How is the surgery done

The gastric ulcer surgery is performed in the hospital, with general anesthesia and lasts about 2 hours, and the patient may need to be hospitalized for more than 3 days.

This surgery is usually done by laparoscopy, but it can also be done with a cut in the belly, to allow the doctor to reach the stomach. The doctor then locates the ulcer and removes the affected part of the stomach, putting the healthy parts back together to close the stomach.

After surgery, the patient must be hospitalized until there is no risk of developing complications, such as hemorrhage or infection, for example, and in the best case he can return home about 3 days later. Even after leaving the hospital, the person must take special care with food and exercise during recovery. Know what precautions to take.

What are the risks of surgery

The main risks of gastric ulcer surgery are the formation of a fistula, which is an abnormal connection between the stomach and the abdominal cavity, infections or hemorrhage. However, these complications are rare, especially after the patient is discharged.